The Watchmen - Silent Radar (1998)

The most fully realized of the Canadian band's first four albums, this groundbreaking release opens not with a loud guitar or a pounding drum, but an organ on "Stereo," the first single. This album is a sonic breakthrough for the band, which makes a quantum leap in its use of dynamics. "Any Day Now" and "Silent Radar" are pop songs, which make the rocking numbers seem like they're rocking even harder. The Winnipeg quartet sounds much like R.E.M. at times. That's not surprising, considering that producer Adam Kasper has worked with them too. Former Tom Petty keyboard player Benmont Tench adds coloring. The innovative multimedia CD allows fans to connect with a website that offers periodically updated information.© Mark Allan /TiVo